diff --git a/src/channels/mod.rs b/src/channels/mod.rs
index c67383b8e..d257921be 100644
--- a/src/channels/mod.rs
+++ b/src/channels/mod.rs
@@ -3235,6 +3235,8 @@ fn collect_configured_channels(
                 #[cfg(not(feature = "whatsapp-web"))]
                 {
                     tracing::warn!("WhatsApp Web backend requires 'whatsapp-web' feature. Enable with: cargo build --features whatsapp-web");
+                    eprintln!("  ⚠ WhatsApp Web is configured but the 'whatsapp-web' feature is not compiled in.");
+                    eprintln!("    Rebuild with: cargo build --features whatsapp-web");
                 }
             }
             _ => {
diff --git a/src/onboard/wizard.rs b/src/onboard/wizard.rs
index 311b443bf..ca7dc8a45 100644
--- a/src/onboard/wizard.rs
+++ b/src/onboard/wizard.rs
@@ -4149,6 +4149,23 @@ fn setup_channels() -> Result<ChannelsConfig> {
                     .interact()?;
 
                 if mode_idx == 0 {
+                    // Compile-time check: warn early if the feature is not enabled.
+                    #[cfg(not(feature = "whatsapp-web"))]
+                    {
+                        println!();
+                        println!(
+                            "  {} {}",
+                            style("⚠").yellow().bold(),
+                            style("The 'whatsapp-web' feature is not compiled in. WhatsApp Web will not work at runtime.").yellow()
+                        );
+                        println!(
+                            "  {} Rebuild with: {}",
+                            style("→").dim(),
+                            style("cargo build --features whatsapp-web").white().bold()
+                        );
+                        println!();
+                    }
+
                     println!("  {}", style("Mode: WhatsApp Web").dim());
                     print_bullet("1. Build with --features whatsapp-web");
                     print_bullet(